Heat exchange apparatus



Feb. 11, 1936.- Q EL 2,030,060

HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 9, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 '1 lav '4ATTORNEYS v INVENTZR Feb. 11, 1936. c. FIELD HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUSFiled Dec. 9, 1951 3 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR MFMJ BY ATTORNEYS Feb. 11,1936. c. FIELD HEAT EXCHANGE APP ARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 9,1931 N N a 1/ INVENTOR v v F, a 1

g ljlfl w M ATTORNEYS "Patented Feb. 11, 1936 I \UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE HEAT EXCHANGE APPARATUS Crosby Field, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignorto Flakice Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of DelawareApplication December 9, 1931, Serial No. 579,842

6 Claims. (01. 62106) This invention relates to heat exchange, and israpidly cooled to a point below its freezing with regard to certain morespecific features to point. The thin wall of the cylinder is deflectedthe method and apparatus for effecting relatively by suitable mechanismat a predetermined point rapid heat exchange and to the productsresultand this causes the liquid which is frozen onto ing therefrom. Ithe exterior surface to break and/or peel oil at 5 Among the severalobjects of the invention the point of deflection. may benoted theprovision of an improved meth- In a freezing mechanism of this nature itis 0d for effecting a substantially instantaneous desirable, among otherthings, that it should be cooling and freezing of a liquid solution; theproeflicient from a heat transfer standpoint, and vision of a method ofthe class described which that it should be relatively inexpensive tooper- 1 is more particularly suitable for commercial ate. Furthermore,it is desirable in some inoperation. stances to freeze a solution whichif cooled rela- Another object of the invention is to provide tivelyslowly to and below its freezing point would improved apparatus of atype which will be parseparate out the solute whereby anon-homogeticularly' suitable for exacting commercial operaneous frozenmass would ultimately result. The

tive requirements in carrying out my methods. apparatus of the presentinvention is adapted to Other objects will be in part obvious, and incool a liquid film from a relatively high temperapart pointed outhereinafter. ture to a relatively low temperature substan- The inventionaccordingly consists in the featially instantaneously, whereby anyseparation tures of construction, combinations of elements, of a solutefrom a solvent is substantially pre- 20 arrangements of parts, and stepsof procedure vented. which are exemplified in the structure, and meth-One embodiment of such an apparatus is shown od hereinafter describedand the scope of the in the drawings, and a description of theappaapplication of which are defined in the subjoined ratus is asfollows: claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is supporting foundation shownone of the various possible embodiments Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3there is shown of this invention, a pair of I-beams I connected by afoundation Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus plate 3 whichbeams and foundation plate supembodying my invention, but showingcertain port the entire mechanism. 30 parts broken away for purposes ofclarity; Extending from the beams I, are brackets 5 Figure 2 is avertical section taken on the line which support an insulated housing 1.The 2--2 of Figure 1; insulated housing is formed in two sections, a

Figure 3 is a reduced front elevation of the bottom and a top section,to facilitate assembly apparatus of Figure 1, and also showing certainand disassembly of the machine. The insula- 35 parts broken away; tionof the insulated housing I may comprise Figure 4 is a partial top planview of the appaany insulation material suitable for such a purratus ofFigure 1, and showing the manner in pose. The lower portion of theinsulated houswhich strips of frozen product are peeled off from ing 1is made sufliciently strong to bear the weight a freezing siu'face; andof the top of the housing, and end sections I3 40 Figure 5 is ahorizontal detail section taken on and I5 of the housing aresufiiciently strong line 5-5 of Figure 3. to bear aportion of the weightof a flexible ro- Corresponding reference characters indicate tatablecylinder 2| to be described hereinafter. corresponding parts throughoutthe'several views As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the upper section of thedrawings. of the housing I is provided at the top and inter- 45Referring generally to Figures 1 and 2 there is mediate its ends, withlongitudinal openings H shown an apparatus which comprises in general,to permit the peeled or cracked frozen solid B a thin flexible cylinder2| journaled for rotation, to pass out of the insulated housing I on toa and a spray system for spraying a liquid A on the chute II! fordelivery to a storage bin or recepouter surface of the cylinder. Theinner surface tacle (not shown). 50 of the cylinder is exposed to arefrigerant hav- The end section l3 supports a bearing or bored ing arelatively low temperature whereby the hub I1, to be describedhereinafter. A manually outer surface is kept at substantially the samecontrolled drain I9 is provided at the bottom low temperature. In thisway the liquid which is of the lower section of the insulated housing Isprayed onto the exterior surface of the cylinder to facilitate in theremoval of any surplus of 55 I liquid A which may accumulate in thebottom of the insulated housing.

Freezing cylinder assembly As shown in Figures 1 and 2 a freezingcylinder 2| is rotatably mounted within the housing I. A description ofthe left mounting of the cylinder is as follows:

The end wall |3 of the housing is provided with a central opening forreceiving a' bored hub II which is secured to the end wall I3 by bolts23 and nuts 25 which pass through a flange 21 formed around the hub l1.Interposed between the wall I3 and the flange 21 are ring plates 6 whichserve as an adjusting medium for adjusting the relative position of thehub l1 and the wall I3. I

The hub or hearing I1 forms a bearing for a hollow stub shaft 29 towhich a ring 3| is brazed or welded on the inner end of the stub shaft.Bolted to the ring 3| is a disk shaped head 33 which forms thesupporting medium for one end of the cylinder 2|. It is thus seen thatthe stub shaft 29 and the disk shaped head 33 fastened thereto arerotatably mounted with respect to the bearing or hub II. It is desirableto provide a babbitt 4| to assist in the mechanical efliciency of thebearing".

Concentric with the bearing or hub and passing therethrough is a hollowshaft 35 which serves to conduct a refrigerating medium into and out ofthe cylinder 2|. refrigerant has a relatively low temperature, it isdesirable, from a lubricating standpoint, to protect the bearing I1 andthe stub shaft 29 from the low temperature of the refrigerant. In thepresent invention this protection is accomplished as follows:

A bushing 31, preferably of impregnated wood, is provided adjacent toand concentric with the stub shaft 29. The interior surface of thebushing 31 is next to a journal 39 which is fitted closely and issecured to the shaft 35.

It is to be noted that the insulation bushing 31 and the journal 39 donot rotate with the stub shaft 29 as the cylinder 2| is rotated.Additional insulation is provided on the interior of the shaft 35, atthe area of the bearing, in the form of a sleeve of insulating material43. In this way a substantial temperature rise is effected between theinterior of the shaft 35 and the bearing l1, and lubricatingdifliculties are thus overcome.

It is to be noted that inasmuch as there is no liquid pressure withinthe housing I, it is not necessary to provide packing or the likebetween the various bearings, journals and bushings to make the jointurebetween the shaft 35, the stub shaft 29 and the bearing liquid-proof.This simplification in the construction of the machine has decidedadvantages among which are reduction in the cost of manufacture andreduction in the cost of repair and the like.

The hollow shaft 35 extends through the entire cylinder 2|, andissecured at the left-hand side against rotation, as shown in Figures 1and 3, by suitable torque arms 45 which are bolted to the foundationplate 3 and also to a flange ring 41 suitably secured to the shaft 35.The torque arms 45 also support the shaft 35, in addition to the supportafforded by the end walls l3 and I5 of the housing I.

The flange ring 4! is threaded onto the end of the shaft 35, and alocking ring 46 is provided to lock the ring 41 in a predetermined posi-Inasmuch as the tion. A head 48 (Figure 5) having inlet and outletopenings and IM respectively is bolted to the flange ring 41 by bolts42.

The right-hand end of the cylinder 2| is supported by an end plate 33 insubstantially the same way as the left-hand side, except for the factthat the end of the shaft 35 is sealed by a suitable plug 32 which alsoprovides insulation for the bearing l'la. Thus in general the righthandsupport is similar to the left-hand support except for the fact that theright-hand end is sealed from passage of refrigerant therepast. It is tobe noted, however, that should it be desirable to provide the right-handsupport for passage of the refrigerant, it can be made similarly to theleft-hand support.

In this way the two disk shaped head plates 33 support the cylinder 2|,and are 'in turn supported by the right and left hand supports I5 and I3hereinbefore described.

Construction and operation of cylinder 21 As hereinbefore pointed out itis desirable that the cylinder 2| be flexible to the degree that it maybe deflected at a given point during its rotation whereby liquid frozenon the surface of the cylinder may be peeled from the cylinder surface.It has also been found desirable that the frozen substance thus formedon the cylinder surface and peeled therefrom will be taken off in stripsrather than in a solid sheet extending across the width of the cylinder.This is advantageous for many reasons among which are the. packing andhandling simplications effected by taking the product off in the stripform rather than in a sheet form.

A description of a cylinder. 2| which is adapted to effect the desiredresults is as follows:

Referring to Figure l, the cylinder 2| is made up in two sections 5| and53 which are suitably secured to and supported by end rings 55 securedto the heads 33, and by a center ring 51, which center ring rotates onrollers 59 which are supported by the shaft 35 as will be hereinafterdescribed. The inner surface of the center ring 51 is insulated with arubber strip 6|, and bearing against the strip 6| is a track 63 whichrides on the rollers 59. The track 63 and strip 6| are secured to thering 51 by suitable means such as screws.

Each section 5| and 53 of the cylinder is made up in the same way, andthe construction of the present embodiment is as follows:

A plurality of relatively thin metal sheets 65 are arranged edge toedge. The sheets 65 are preferably formed from a metal having a highdegree of resiliency and strength, and also a high degree offlexibility. The strips or sheets 65 are secured together in their endto end arrangement by interior circumferential strips 51 of rubberpreferably reinforced with fabric. The strips 61 are secured to themetal sheets 65 by cement and/or lock seams and additional rubber strips(not shown). In this way a cylinder is formed which has circumferentialareas which are relatively good heat conductors, and adjacentcircumferential areas which are relatively poor heat conductors.

The ends of the portions 5| and 53 of the cylinder 2| are provided withrubber aprons 69 which are secured to the rings 55 and to the centerring 51, whereby the sections 5| and 53 are supported. The rubberreinforced strips 61 and the end aprons '69 are of substantial thicknessfor the dual purpose of providing heat insulation substantially toprevent formation of frozen liquid at the edges of the metal sheets 65,and to provide tracks for rollers Ill and I23 which serve to guide anddeflect the surface of the cylinder as will be hereinafter described.

As hereinbefore pointed out, the cylinder 2| is filled with arefrigerant which is introduced and removed by the shaft 35. In order toprevent the low temperature of the refrigerant from affecting thebearings I1 through the head plates 33, and to prevent the flow of heatfrom the exterior of the cylinder into the refrigerant through the heads33, layers of reinforced rubber 34 are provided at the ends of thecylinder 2| adjacent the plates 33, as shown in Figure 1. The cylinder2| is conveniently driven by gears I5 which are mounted on the supportrings 55 and 51 (Figure 1). These gears I5 mesh with the pinions 'I'Iwhich are mounted on a drive shaft 19 which extends into the housing Ias shown in Figures 1 and 2. The drive shaft I9 is suitably supportedinbearings 8|, and is driven through suitable gearing by a motor 83(Figure 3).

Refrigerant circulating mechanism The outer surface of the cylinder 2|is preferably kept at the desired low temperature by circulating arefrigerant, which for example may be brine or the like, in the interiorof the cylinder 2|. One method of circulating the refrigerant or brineis shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and comprises forcing pre-cooled brinefrom a system (not shown) through a strainer 86, into an inlet 85 in thehead 48, to which is connected an inlet pipe 81 disposed inside thehollow shaft 35 and substantially concentric therewith. Referring toFigure 2 distributing pipes or nipples 89,'9I and 93 (pipes 89 and 9|being shown in dotted lines) extend from the inlet pipe 81. The pipes 89and 9| preferably extend upwardly from the pipe 81, and are positionedrelatively near the right end of the cylinder 2|. The pipe 93 extendsdownwardly from the pipe 91, and is disposed near the left end of thecylinder. These pipes 89, 9| and 93 connect with header pipes 95 whichextend the entire length of the cylinder 2|, and which have perforationsor nozzles .91 suitably arranged therealong to direct jets of theprecooled brine, coming in under pressure in the pipe 81, onto the innersurface of the cylinder 2| (see Figure 2). The header pipes 95 areclosed at their ends, and thus all liquid flowing through them passesout of the various nozzles 91. The nozzles are preferably arranged todirect most effectively the jets onto the surface of the cylinder toobtain the most efficient distribution of the pre-cooled brine over thesurface of the cylinder. This insures the best possible flow of heatthrough the walls of the cylinder.

The brine which has thus been forced into the cylinder 2| flows out ofthe cylinder 2| through openings 99, disposed at intervals along theshaft 35, whereby the spent brine enters the annular space I between theshaft 35 and the inlet pipe 81 and flows out through an outlet MI in thehead casting 46. The outlet I0| connects with a return pipe I03 whichreturns the brine to the brine cooling system. The same pressure whichforces the brine into the cylinder 2| also forces the brine into theholes or openings 99, into the annular space I00, and out into thereturn pipe I03 (Figure 1) The brine cooling system may be of any knowntype. A storage tank I02 is provided to take care of any change involume of the brine system; A further description of it is not deemednecessary herein.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, means comprising small pipes I and I 01having manually controlled valves therein extend to the bottom and thetop of the cylinder 2| respectively tofacilltate emptying and filling ofthe cylinder 2|. Thus if the cylinder 2|- is empty and it is desired tofill the cylinder with brine or the like, the valve of the pipe line I01is opened, and as thebrine flows in, the air in the cylinder is forcedout through the pipe I01. If it is desired to drain the cylinder thevalve in the line I05 is opened and the liquid in the cylinder 2| isdrawn off from the bottom of the cylinder.

Apparatus for applying the liquid to be frozen to the surface of thecylinder 21 One of the features of the present invention, is

the manner in which the liquid to be frozen is applied to the freezingsurface. I have found that by spraying the liquid to be frozen onto thefreezing surface I can accomplish many new results, among which are (a)substantially instantaneous freezing of the liquid solution as itcontacts with the freezing surface; (b) a com-. pletely dry frozenproduct; and (c) a substantial reduction in the amount of liquid whichis necessarily in contact with the cylinder 2| at any given time.

This is accomplished in the present invention by directing the liquidsolution to be frozen in fine jets or in a spray onto the revolvingfreezing surface 22. By thus applying the liquid to be frozen in smallamounts to the freezing surface 22, the amount of heat required to beremoved from the small amounts in order to reduce the liquid to atemperature below its freezing point, is relatively small, and hence theliquid thus subjected to the cold surface is substantiallyinstantaneously frozen.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the supply of liquid A to be frozen iskept in a tank such as is diagrammatically shown at I09.

A pipe III is connected to the tank I09 and runs the entire length ofthe cylinder 2| and is disposed in relation to the cylinder 2| aboutmidway between its top and middle sections, as shown in Figure 2. Thepipe III has nozzles II 3 for projecting either jets or a fine spray ofthe liquid A against the surface 22 of the cylinder 2|. In this way onlya relatively small amount of the liquid to be frozen contacts with thesurface 22 at one time, and the result is a substantially instantaneousfreezing of the liquid as it strikes the surface 22.

The pressure of the liquid in the pipe III may be a hydrostatic pressurefrom the tank I09 or it may receive pressure from a pump or the like. Asshown in Figures 1 and 2 a valve 5 is provided in the line III tocontrol the flow of liquid through the nozzles H3.

The positioning of the pipe III with respect to the cylinder 2| may bevaried, whereby the length of time that the frozen liquid remains incontact with the cylinder 2| is also varied. However, by positioning thepipe III as shown in Figure 1, the frozen liquid remains in contact withthe cylinder 2| for substantially a complete rotation of the. cylinder2| and hence the temperature of the frozen product may be reduced acrossthe cylinder 2|, whereby the liquid A is Mechanism for deflecting thecylinder and for applied to the cylinder at a number of difierent areas.In this way thicker strips of frozen product B may be obtained.

The thickness of the film may be controlled by difi'erent factors amongwhich are (a) the rate of rotation of the cylinder; (b) the rate of flowof the liquid solution onto the cylinder; and (c) the temperature of thesurface 22. Further, by controlling the temperature of the surface 22,the rate of cooling of the liquid A in contact with the surface 22 maybecontrolled.

As hereinbefore pointed out it is desirable in many cases to coolsolutions to a temperature below their freezing point, very rapidly,whereby the solution is frozen solid before there is any opportunity forany separation of the liquid or solid in solution from the solvent.

With my improved method of applying the liquid to be frozen to thefreezing surface, I can freeze liquid foods such as fruit juices, milkand the like, and I' can also freeze solutions having eutectic points,and obtain a substantially homogeneous frozen solution, in which theconstituents are in substantially the same proportion as they existed inthe liquid solution. Another advantage of the product which I thusobtain is that it is completely dry, and is more or less super-cooledwhereby it may be stored in bins or the like until packed for shipmentwithout freezing together in a single solid mass.

Thus with my improved method I obtain a new frozen product, for examplea frozen liquid food such as a frozen liquid fruit juice, the propertiesof which are identical with the properties of the liquid solution,except that they are in a solid state. Further, the constituents are inthe same proportion in the solid state as they were in the liquid state.Among the many advantages and uses for such a frozen product which areimmediately apparent is the distributing of frozen fruit juice, whichmay be made into cold beverages by simply mixing proper amounts of thefrozen juice and water. I

This frozen fruit juice product also maybe thawed and used without anydilution with another liquid. In either case the taste of the thawedfruit juice is substantially the same as the taste of the original fruitjuice before freezing. Such a frozen product is new. The presentcommercial methods and means for freezing fruit juices do not produce athawed fruit juice which tastes the same as the original fruit juicetasted before freezing. I

It is to be understood that my invention provides an improved method ofcooling and freezing any liquid and is not limited to the cooling andfreezing of solutions.

It is to be noted that when fruit juices are frozen with this method,there is obtained a product made up of thin flakes which cling togetherto the extent that the flakes peel ofi from the cylinder as a sheet, butare later separable. The flakes may then be packed in such a way as topreserve their surfaces, but when they are later separated and used formaking a fruit juice beverage, the large extent of surface which ispresented to the liquid in which the flakes are dissolved gives a rapidthawing effect so that the flakes are quickly melted and dissolved inthe solution.

With this improved method I can also freeze liquid without employing alarge amount of the liquid in the process, and without cooling theliquid until presented to the freezing surface.

guiding the frozen product therefrom shape, but is readily removed ifthe cylinder is sufficiently deflected from its normal shape. It hasbeen found most desirable to peel the frozen substance from the top ofthe cylinder 2| because of the ease with which the frozen substance thuspeeled may be removed from the machine. Thus it is advantageous. todeflect the cylinder at its top portion. The deflecting mechanism isdesigned to remain in constant deflecting position at the top of thecylinder so that as the cylinder rotates a substantially continuouspeeling of the product from the cylinder will occur at that point andthe product will be peeled therefrom in ribbon-like strips which willpass down a chute I into a storage bin (not shown).

The description of the mechanism of the present embodiment is asfollows:

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, two relatively large cylindrical guiderollers II1 are provided for each half section of the cylinder, one oneach side of central shaft and equidistant therefrom. The rollers II!are located to contact with the interior rubber strips 61 of thecylinder and maintain a normal curvature of the cylinder at the point ofcontact. Additional rollers II'I may be provided but it has been foundin practice that two large rollers located as shown in Figure 5 aresuflicient to guide the rotating cylinder and prevent any deflectionwhich would cause the frozen product to cross-crack or peel. The rollersIIl rotate on shafts journaled in suitable bearings carried respectivelyby end plates H9 and central plates I2I, (see Figures 1 and 5) which arenon-rotatably supported on shaft 35 and braced by braces I20. Adeflecting roller I23 is located in each half section of the cylinder atthe top of the cylinder a distance from the central shaft sufilcientlygreat to raise and deflect, the cylinder at that point, i. e., the pointof contact between the rollers I23'and the strips 61 of the cylinder maybe a greater distance from the axis of rotation of the cylinder than arethe pointsof contact between the rollers Ill and the strips 61 of thecylinder. Rollers I23 rotate on shafts journaled in'suitable bearingscarried respectively by the end plates H9 and the central plates I2Isupported by the shaft 35. The deflecting rollers I23 are considerablysmaller in diameter than the guide rollers III, for the purpose ofincreasing the deflecting curvature of the cylinder at the point ofcontact with the smaller rollers I23. Thus, as clearly shown in'Figure2, the frozen solution designated B, which has been frozen in the shapeof the normal curvature of the cylinder, will peel off at the pointadjacent the roller I23 as the cylinder rotates.

roller I23 or by increasing the deflecting effect of the roller I23 byweighting the cylinder 2I as for example by filling the cylinder 2| withthe refrigerant.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an inert gas in theannular space 8 between the insulation housing I and the cylinder 2|.Such a provision becomes distinctly advantageous when certain substancesare to be frozen which in a liquid state are subject to the action ofactive gases such as oxygen or the like. For example, orange juice whenexposed to the air changes its chemical composition rather rapidly,which change is more orless harmful to some of the qualities of thejuice. Thus if an inert gas. such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or thelike is provided as an atmosphere for the liquid juice it does notchange its chemical composition. After the juice is frozen, however, itis not necessary to provide an inert atmosphere because of the reducedtendency of the juices to change their chemical composition afterfreezing.

In the present embodiment the inert atmosphere is maintained as follows:

A pipe line I35 is disposed adjacent the cylinder 2I, and as shown inFigure 2 is above the pipe III. The pipe I35 is provided with nozzlesI31, and is connected to a supply of inert gas such as nitrogen, carbondioxide, or the like. The nozzles I31 direct the inert gas in thedirection of the cylinder and of the pipe III so that the inertatmosphere completely immerses the liquid flow from the pipe I II.Extending down from the top of the housing 'I is a baflle plate I39 asshown in Figure 2. The plate extends almost to the top of the cylinder2|. The bafiie plate I39 may be formed from a metal, or may be formedfrom rubber or other flexible resilient material. In the latter case theplate may drag on the rotating surface of the cylinder 2|.

Extending from the ends of the chute III to the cylinder are sides I 4|which are similar to the baffle plate I39. The plate and sides seal offthe opening II from the annular space 8, and thus a pressure of theinert gas may be maintained in the annular space, without therequirement for an appreciable flow of the gas through the annularspace.

As various embodiments might be made of this invention, and as variouschanges might be made in the construction herein described, all withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood thatall matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is tobe interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a freezingsurface comprising a rotating flexible cylindrical surface, means forspraying a liquid onto the outside of said rotating cylindrical surfaceas it passes a predetermined line, whereby said liquid is substantiallyinstantaneously cooled to a temperature below its freezing point, meansfor deflecting said rotating surface uniformly across its entire widthas it passes another predetermined line, whereby said frozen liquid isremoved from said surface at said latter point in long strips, and meansto supply a refrigerating medium inside said freezing cylinder to coolsaid freezing surface.

2. In apparatus of the class described, in combination, a rotatingcylinder, means for circulating a refrigerant through the cylinder,means for continuouslyapplying a liquid to be frozen over a relativelynarrow area across the width of the surface of said cylinder as saidsurface moves past said means, whereby said liquid coming in contactwith said surface is frozen onto said surface, and means for deflectingsaid rotating cylinder to remove the frozen solid therefrom in longstrips,

3. The method of manufacturing a frozen liquid which consists incontinuously spraying a liquid onto a plurality of relatively narrow,parallel, rotating, flexible freezing surfaces to congeal the liquidinstantly on the freezing surfaces and continuously deflecting theflexible freezing surfaces to cause the product sprayed thereon to peeloff in continuous relatively narrow strips.

4. In apparatus for quick freezing of perishable or eutectic solutions,in combination, a. rotating flexible freezing surface, means forapplying a uniform film of the solution to be frozen to said rotatingfreezing surface in limited amounts, the said solution thus appliedbeing substantially instantaneously cooled from a temperatureconsiderably above its freezing point to a temperature below itsfreezing point whereby the said solution solidifies in a homogeneousmass, the constituents of which are in the same proportion as in thesolution before its application to the freezing surface, and means fordeflecting said freezing surface at a point over 180 removed from thefirst point of application of said solution to said freezing surface tocause the solidified solution to peel therefrom in thin strips.

5. In apparatus for the quick freezing of solutions, in combination, aflexible approximately cylindrical rotatable freezing surface, means forcausing said surface to travel about a closed path, supplymeans forcontinuously applying a liquid film of a liquid solution to be frozenover a relatively narrow area across the width of the said surface andin limited amount as the surface moves past said supply means, wherebythe solution of the film is substantially instantaneously chilled from atemperature considerably above its freezing point to a temperature belowthe freezing point and is thereby solidified in a homogeneous mass,constituents of the solidified solution being in substantially the sameproportion as in the solution to be frozen, and means for deflectingsaid freezing surface at a point removed more than 180 from said supplymeans to cause the solidified film mass to peel therefrom.

6. The method of manufacturing a frozen liquid solution which comprisesthe steps of continuously supplying the liquid solution, maintained at atemperature favorable to the continued solution of all of itsconstituents, in limited amount and in the form of a film to a pluralityof parallel traveling endless flexible freezing surfaces, ofinstantaneously chilling the liquid films to the freezing point of thesolution and solidifying the same, whereby the solidified product ishomogeneous throughout and its constituents are in the same proportionas in the solution to be frozen, and of continuously deflecting theendless flexible freezing surface .at a point removed from the. point ofapplication of the solution to the surface to cause the frozen solutionto peel therefrom in thin strips.

CROSBY FIELD.

